The travel industry is one of the world’s most important industries. Indeed, 10 % (2019)* of the world’s population rely on the travel industry to sustain their families and communities. Our collective desire to travel and experience the world is thus crucial to sustaining lives and livelihoods around the world particularly in developing countries where tourism is critical to a thriving local economy and the well-being of indigenous communities.

South Africa’s tourism sector is one of the largest in the country and a crucial source of revenue. The industry accounts for 6.9 % of the country’s GDP and generates approximately 1.5 million jobs (2019)**, which is very significant in a country with an high unemployment rate.

Ever mindful that we live in a period of eco-consciousness in which the choice to travel our world is fraught with complexity, we support an approach that balances considered travel choices to protect our climate with the significant contribution that travel makes to sustaining local communities. As an individual, you can impact everything from climate, environment and nature to the wellbeing of human beings by making the right travel choices.

Sustainable travel isn’t limited to air travel alone. Sustainable travel includes a range of conscious choices along the entire route of travel that starts with the choice of destination followed by how you pack, what you pack, how much you pack, where you shop, what you shop for, what restaurants you choose, the food you eat, what you eat with, how you stay, where you stay, and much more. Upplev Sydafrika would like to partner you in our collective journey towards achieving sustainable, eco-travel that supports and protects integrated natural and human systems through careful and conscious decision making to achieve a durable and sustainable travel experience.

Moreover, we care deeply about local employment and job creation. Upplev Sydafrika work with local suppliers, guides and vendors as part of a conscious choice to support local communities that benefit from the travel industry. Throughout our 20 years on location, we have built a vast network of contacts in South Africa that we are extremely proud of and which is important to us given how close to our hearts the sustainability of local communities is in South and Southern Africa.

Travelling is essential but travelling sustainably and responsibly is even more important! Make good travel choices and travel wisely and in ways that don’t place an unnecessary burden on the destinations along your route. And most importantly, enjoy your travel experiences!

*Source: World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)
**Source: World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)